Carding-engine.



PATENTBD JUNE 2, 1903.-

' 1 MILLS. GARDING ENGINE. APPLIUAHON FILED MAB. 12. 190.1.

@SHEETS-SHEET 1.

4H0 MODEL.

PATBNTBD JUNE z, 1903.

' C. MILLS.

GARDING ENGINE.

APPLIOATION FILED ma. 12, 190s.

SSHEETS-SHI/BT. 2.

NQ. 729,632.; PATENTED JUNE 2, 1903.

. c. MILLS.

CARDIN@ ENGINE.

APPLIQATION -HLND mn. 12,*1903. N

N MoDNL. N a SHEETS-SHEET s.

. cotton-seed after ginning, and Which,with simi-` N ITI-3D STAT-Es Patented June 2, 1903.

`PATENI OFFICE.

CHARLES MILLS, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO SACO d:

PETTEE MACHINE SI'IOIS, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPO- RATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

CABDlNG-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 729,632, dated .Tune 2, 1903. Application led March 12, '1903. Serial No. 147,437. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLESMILLS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Newton, in the county of Middlesex and State This invention is an improvement upon that described in the Letters Patent of the United States No. (523,094, dated April 11, 1899, granted to Mills and Penney. The said patent de-V scribes a revolving-flatV carding-engine which is adapted for the carding of the ordinary cotton and otherstaples which are commonly used. Economies which are now practiced make it` desirable that the machine should card what has heretofore been in the nature of waste-viz. the very short fibers left upon the lar short fibers, is known as' linters.7 Such short-staple cotton cannot be successfully carded in a carding-engine of the character of the patented one because of the tendency of the short iiber to mat inthe teeth of the clothing of the main cylinder. I have, however, discovered that by the addition to such a carding-engine of an additional cardingroll located immediately above the intersecting point of the main cylinder and the doffer such carding engines may be successfully used in properlyT carding such irregular short staple or fibers. it is necessary that the said cylinder should be so clothed, arranged, and actuated that its teeth shall not oppose the teeth of the main cylinder and shall move somewhat faster than they move and at a point immediately before the teeth ot the main cylinder engage those of the doffer and so that the fibers upon the teeth of the main cylinder shall be slightly lifted and free upon the teeth of the cylinder torelieve them from any binding action therefrom and to press or move them slightly forward, so that they shall rest so easily upon the teeth of the. main cylinder as to be readily disengaged therefrom by contact of the teeth of the (leiter-cylinder. In order to secure the To accomplish this result, i

requisite location and application of this carding-roll to the engine, it has become necessary to reorganize that portion of the patented carding-engine lying between the main carding-cylinder and the doifer-roll an d which space in said patented construction has been in part occupied by aA movable cover to a portion of the main cylinder and in part by a stripping-roll or a grinding-roll when it is has been necessary to use said rolls in stripping the cylinder or in grinding it, which of course takes place when the machine is not carding. In lieu, therefore,of the cover I employ the new carding-roll, and it is so attached to the machine as to bemovable from anfoperative relation with the main carding-cylinder to an inoperative position considerably removed from it, but without being detached from `the engine and so that it then serves to expose the main cylinder sufficiently for the Vproper placing and operation of the stripping- `roll and of the griinling-roll. patented construction each of said rolls had `its own or independent supports or bearings In the said for itsshaft. This is not feasible with the present organizatioinand I have now arranged that each of said rolls--namely, the stripping and the grinding roll-shall be supported by the same bearings or supports.

I will now describe the invention more in detail and in conjunction with other parts necessary for its application to the said machine.

In the drawings, Figure l is a view, principally in side elevation, of enough of the main cylinder and dotfer-casings to show the position and relation of the new carding-rollto the main and doffer cylinders and when said roll is in operative relation thereto and in its removed inoperative position, the latter being shown in dotted outlines-` Fig. 2 isa detail view, enlarged, principally in cross vertical section, to illustrate a portion of the new carding-roll and its construction and manner of mounting the saine. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view, in longitudinal vertical section, showing the newcarding-roll in active relation with the main carding-cylinder and doiier-roll and the construction and relation of the adj acent cooperating parts. Fig. 4 .is a view in side elevation, reduced in size to show the manner in which the new roll is belted.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the main carding-cylinder; B, the doffer; C, the new or short-staple carding-roll. The main cylinder and doffer rolls are of the usual type. The new roll C, while it may be permanent in relation to the main carding-cylinder when applied to some parts thereof, is when applied at the intersection of the main cylinder and the doffer (which l consider the best place for it) mounted and attached to the machine so that it may be removed from the main cylinder when desired and in order that the maincylinder stripping or the main-cylinder grinding roll may be substituted therefor. (See Figs. l and 3.) The roll itself is of ordinary construction and has its shaft c extending through a shroud c' at either end, which is shaped to provide suitable bearings therefor. One end of the shaft extends beyond its bear-y ing sufciently to receive the pulley c2, by

which it is turned by means of abelt c3,extending from the pulley c4. (See Fig. 4.) Each shroud has extending from it an arm c5 (see Figs. l, 2, and 4) and of a shape and length to attach it by a pivotal connection to the shrouds of the doffer, one arm c5 and one doffer-shroud c(i only being shown. I prefer to attach each arm to its doffer-shroud by a cap-joint, so that the arms may be detached from their pivots by the removal of the caps and so that the newroll and its arms may be placed upon the machine and removed without being dismembered.

In the drawings, cT (see Fig. 2) represents one of the pivots, and c8 a removable cap by which an arm is attached to the pivot. These arms a-re so pivoted and are of such length as to permit the new roll to be moved into engagement with the carding-cylinder above the intersecting point of the carding-cylinder and the dotfer-roll, and one is represented in Figs. l, 3, and et. The roll is adapted to be removed bodily from the main cylinder over a portion of the casing of the doffer-roll to the position upon the casing represented by dotted outlines in Fig. l,where it is shown as resting upon the rests ci on the doffer-casing.

The new roll is provided with a cylindrical casing cw, which covers the entire roll excepting at the opening c, which is so arranged in the casing as to come opposite the opening C12 in the casing of the main carding-engine when the new roll is in operative position. This casing is riveted to the shrouds c and serves to connect them together, and the shrouds are further tied together and braced by the tie-rods cl3, (see Figs. l and 2,) two of these tie-rods being arranged to extend outside the casing between ears cast on the shrouds and serve to stiffen and strengthen the entire structure, the rods, it will be observed, extending horizontally over the casin g from a shroud at one end of the roll to a shroud at the other end.

The position of the new roll when in operative relation with the main carding-cylinder is determined by the stops D, against which portions of the shrouds forming the shaftbearings of the new roll come into contact, (see Fig. 1,) and the roll is maintained in such operative relation by means which serve to hold said. shaft-bearings against the stops and which are releasable to permit the removal of the roll. Convenient devices for this purpose are the hooks d, one of which is represented in Fig. l. It is shown attached to the slide CV, whose outer end forms the stop D by means of a pivot-bolt cl2 and is shaped and arranged to be swung up under the bearing and so that its end cl3 shall engage thc bearing above its center and serve to bear upon it and clamp it against the stop D. The slides d take the place of the arms for supporting the shaft of the grinding-roll described in the said patent and are Aattached to the card sides to be adjustable substantially radially back and forth thereon, as were the grindingroll arms described in the said patent, said adjustment for each of the slides CZ being obtained by means of the slot d* and bolt d5, which secures the slide to the adjustable plate d, Each plate d6 is attached to the card side to swing on the pivot (Z7, as described in said patent, and is adjusted and held adjusted by the screw d8, connecting the ear c on the slide wit-h the ear d10 on the plate. This adjustment of the plates and slides varies the position of the stops D and hooks d to any extent desired, and consequently the position of the new roll with relation to the main cylinder. The said plates d6 also support the slides E, one of which is shown in Fig. l and which are adjustable back and forth, as described in my said patent.v These slides have at their outer ends bearings e for receiving the ends of either the shaft of a stripping-roll or the shaft of a grinding-roll and are so located as to hold either roll in operative relation with the cardclothing of the main cylinder, and in so far as these bearings are now necessary for supporting both these rolls the present invention varies from that of the patent where individual or separate bearings for each of the rolls are shown and described.

The structure of the card above and below the opening c12 in the casing of the main cylinder occupied by the new roll or by the grinding or stripping roll, as may be desired, is such that currents or movements of air about the meeting-point of the new roll and the main cylinder are eliminated as much as possible. This result is obtained on the under side of such meeting-point by means of the knife-edgef on the plate F, which iills the space immediately below the intersecting point of the two rolls and approaches the intersecting point as nearly as practicable. This knife-plate F is an extension of the usual knife-plate used between the doffer and the main cylinder,and its lower knife edge f cooperates with the main cylinder and doffer,

IOC

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as does the knife-edge f with the main cylinder and new roll. The knife-plate F also forms that portionof the casing of the main cylinder which is below the opening c12 and the doer, and it and a portion f2 of the doffe1-casingf3form the curved sides or walls of a triangular cross-beam or support f4, extending from side to side of the card, preferably shaped to fit the knife-plate and portion f2 of the doffer-casing, and also having its under surface curved to form a support f5 for the lower part of the casing of the new roll when in operative position. (See Fig.` 3.) This cross piece or beam is preferably made of wood, because on account of its size in section it is sufficiently strong to act as a support for the new roll. It also serves to relieve the knife-plate F and the doffer-casing froln strain to which they would otherwise be subjected were they to act as a support for the new roll when it is in operative position. As it fills the space beneath the new roll, it acts to exclude or eliminate air from its under side and the knife-,edge f.

The opening c12 in the main-cylinder casing is made wider than would be necessary for the new roll alone and in order to provide space for the use of the grinding-roll and the stripping-roll, as these rolls occupy a higher position with respect ,to the maincylinder than does the new roll and makes contact with it on a higher line. I have therefore providedV the n ew-roll casing cw not only with a knife-edge f, which occupies a position above the intersecting' line of the new roll and main cylinder when the new roll is in operative positiolnbut have attached to the new-roll casing, to extend from the knife-edge backward upon the casin g as well as upward, a cover-section f7 of sufficient extent to cover the part of the opening cl2, when the new roll is in position, that is not included bythe new roll and its casing. The upper end of this cover is shaped to bear against the outer surface of the main-cylinder casing immediately above the opening c12 and` so as to make a tight joint therewith. By making the cover f7 of wood and of the section shown it acts to reinforce and stiffen the casing along its edge and to make a rigid cover. Its inner face fs is curved to the curve ofthe main cylinder and shuts as closely against itas practicable, and a strip of packing fi), carried bythe cover, may be arranged between it and the casing of the main cylinder. The cover is attached to the casing of the new roll, close to one of the cross-tie rods cl3, connecting the shrouds, and is reinforced by it, and it is held between extensions of the ears of the shrouds, which support this rod,'and to which cars it is secured by screws f1.0. (See Fig. l.) It will thus be seen that by means of, the lower knife-ed ge and-the packing wback of it and the upper knife-edge and the cover extending from it sufficient air-checks are disposed above and below` the meeting-line of the main cylinder and new roll to prevent drafts or circulation of air therefrom affecting the earding.

It will be understood that when the machine is carding the grinding and stripping rolls are not in use and the new roll is in operative relation with the main cylinder, and the opening in the main-cylinder casing which the grinding and `stripping rolls in part oecupy is closed. lVhen, however, the grinding and stripping rolls are to be used, it is necessary to remove the new roll from its operative position and to expose in the maincylinder casing a space of sufficient size and so located as to permit the employment of the grinding and stripping rolls. The new roll is then released by disconnecting the coupling devices which secure its shaftbearings in place, and the roll, with its appurtenances, is then removed from the main cylinder by swinging with its holding-arms backward to the position of the doifer-casing represented by dotted i outlines in Fig. l, where it remains at rest during the use of the stripping-roll or of the grinding-roll with the main cylinder. Upon the removal of either of these rolls the new roll is returned toits operative position with the main cylinder by being swung forward with its arms and appurtenances and until its shaft-bearings come into contact with the stops D, its casin g comes to rest upon the supports f5, and its cover-section f7 covers a portion of the opening el2 in the main-cylinder `casing and comes into contact therewith. Its upper knife-edge then comes into operative connection with the main cylinder and the new roll itself into operative relation with the fixed knife-edge f and the main cylinder. Its driving-belt, which was removed to permit the withdrawal of the roll, is then again applied to its driving-pulley c2.- Upon ,the starting of the machine the new roll will be caused to turn, so that its card-clothing lwill travel in the same direction as the card-clothing of the main cylinder and so that the teeth of the new roll will, draw forward upon the teeth of the clothing of the main cylinder, andwill serve to draw forward, lighten, and loosen any short or other iber that may have become matted or otherwise fixed to the cylinder-clothing teeth in a manner to prevent its ready removal by the doifer. This treatmentof the fiber on the main carding-cylinder will permit the carding by the machine of staples and fibers too short` to otherwise be successfully ,carded by it.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a bearing for the shaft `of the new roll so shaped and designed as to prevent the waste oil from escaping within the shroud or card side. The bearing, which I have lettered G, is formed in the horizontal extension g from the shroud. It has at its inner end a chamber g/,provided` with an opening g2 of smaller diameter than the chamber, and from the chamber extends outward the long cylindrical bearing g3, which is open at its outer end.` -Theshaft c of the new IOO IIO

roll extends through the chamber g2, where it is reduced in size, and thence through the bearing g3, and the shaft carries within the chamber and the entrance to the chamber a collar g4, which extends outward beyond the shoulder of the shaft formed by the reduction in its size and has upon its exterior the annular groove which is wholly within the chamber. The collar does not extend entirely across the chamber, and a packing-washer g is interposed between its outer wall and the outer wall of the chamber. From the bottom of the chamberthere extends outward through the extension from the shroud an oil-escape passage g7, the outlet to which is beyond the outer surface of the card side, so-that oil escaping from it will drip, to the iioor or a receptacle upon it without touching the card side. The oil is fed to the shaft-bearing through the oil-holes g8 in the extension, and any oil working backward on the bearing Vis prevented by the packing and collar from reaching the end of the new roll or the inside of the card-frame. The washer absorbs such oil. The shoulder in the shaft also acts as a barrier, and oil working outward through the washer is prevented by the groove inthe collar from working back of the groove upon the collar. The waste oil escapes from the washer and collar into the lower part of the chamber g', from which it runs off through the escapepassage g, as above stated. The bearing for the other end of the shaft, which is not shown, is similarly constructed.

The new carding roll or cylinder is so located that it cooperates with the main carding-cylinder and the iiber carried by it and before the iiber is removed from the main cylinder by the doffer, and as the operation of this new cylinder and the main cylinder upon the liber have to do with the subsequent removal of the fiber from the main cylinder by the doffer, it is desirable that this new cylinder shall be placed as near the engaging point of the doffer with the main cylinder as possible, although this is not absolutely essential. It therefore becomes possible to use the location with respect to the main cylinder which has before been used by the grinding-roll and also bythe stripping-roll and to this extent make the opening in the casing of the main cylinder common to the three rolls.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesl. In a revolving-Hat carding-engine, the combination of the main cylinder, the doffer, and an additional carding-cylinder adapted to be moved from an operative relation to the main cylinderand doffer toan inoperativerelation thereto to uncover a portion of the main cylinder, the teeth of which additional cylinder are reversely arranged to those of the main cylinder and the surface of which cylinder in contact with the main cylinder moves in the same direction but at a greater speed as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a revolvingiat carding-engine, the combination of the main cylinder, its casing having an opening across it, the doffer, and an additional cardingcylinder, connected with the frame of the engine to be movable toward and from said opening, and whereby in one position it bears an operative relation with the main cylinder in the said opening in its casing and in another position it ex poses or uncovers said opening and a portion of the main cylinder as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a revolving-flat carding-engine, the combination of the main cylinder, its casing having an opening across it, the doffer, an additional carding-cylinder connected with the frame of the engine to be movable toward and from said opening, the teeth of which are reversely arranged to those of the main cylinder and the surface of which in contact with the main cylinder moves in the'same di rection but at' a greater speed, and means for holding said additional cylinder in operative relation with the main cylinder.

4. In a revolving-fiat carding-engine, the combination of the main cylinder, its casing having an opening across it, the doffer, an additional carding-cylinder connected with the frame of the engine to be movable toward and from said opening, the teeth of which cylinder are reversely arranged to those of of the main cylinder and the surface of which cylinder in contact with the main cylinder moves in the same direction but at a greater speed, stops against which the housing of the said additionalcylinder is adapted to be moved and held while it is in operative relation with the main cylinder, and connections or couplings to engage the said housing and hold it against the stops with the cylinder in operative relation with the main cylinder.

5. In a revolving-flat carding-engine, the combination of the main cylinder, its casing having an opening across it, the doffer, a main-cylinder-casing plate, the upper edge of which forms a knife-edge and forms the lower boundary or" the said opening, an additional carding-cylinder, its shrouds and its casing attached to the shrouds and having an opening upon the side toward the main cylinder, the edge of the casing forming the lower boundary of said opening being slightly below the knife-edge and the edge of the casing forming the upper boundary to the opening being arranged closely above the intersecting point of the two cylinders as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a revolving-flat carding-engine, the combination of the main cylinder, its casing having an opening across it, the doffer, a carding-cylinder, its shrouds and casing to partially close said opening in the main-cylinder casing, and a cover in continuation of said casing to cover the remainder of the opening as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In a revolving-flat carding-engine, the combination of the main cylinder, its casing IOO IIO

having an opening across it, the doffer, an additional carding-cylinder, its shrouds and its casing attached to the shrouds, having an opening upon the side toward the main cylinder, the said additional cylinder, casing and shrouds having a movement toward and from said opening, a lower knife-edge and upper knife-edge in said opening when the additional carding-cylinder isin operating relation with the main carding-cylinder, and a cover to cover the portion of said opening not covered by the said additional carding-cylinder and its casing.

8. In a revolving-iat carding-engine, the combination of the main cylinder, its casing having an opening` across it, the dofter, an additional carding-cylinder, its shrouds and its casing attached to the shrouds and having an opening upon the side toward the main cylinder, which cylinder, casing and shrouds are movable toward and from the said opening in the casing of the main cylinder, anda cover for a portion of said opening, attached to the casing of the additional carding-cylinder to be movable with it.

i). In a revolving-flat carding-en gine, a carding-cylinder, its shrouds andv its casing attached to the shrouds, having an opening upon one side, and a beam. adjacent to one edge of the opening, attached to the shrouds and acting to reinforce the casing and forining a portion of a cover.

10. In a revolving-flat carding-engine, the combination of the main cylinder, its casing having an opening across it, the doffer, its casing, an additional carding-cylinder movable toward and from said opening,its shrouds and casing, having an opening upon the side toward the main cylinder, a plate forming a part of the casing of the main cylinder above its intersecting point with the doffer, and a cross-beam between the said plate and the (iOffer-casing to act as a reinforce for both, as and for the purposes described.

ll. In a revolving-flat carding-engine, the combination of the main cylinder, its casing having an opening across it, the doffer, the flotter-casing, a main-cylinder-casing plate, the upper edge of which forms a knife-edge, an additional carding-cylinder, its shrouds and its casing attached to the shrouds, having an opening upon the side toward-the main cylinder, and a cross-support between the knife-plate and doffer-casing, the upper surface of which acts as a rest for the casing of the additional carding-cyliuder when in operative relation with the main cylinder.

l2. In a revolving-fiat carding-engine, the combination of the main cylinder, its casing having an opening across it, the dofl'er, the doffer-casing, a main-cylinder-casing plate, the upper edge of which forms the lower boundary of said opening, a support between said plate and the doffer-casing to reinforce both, the upper surface of which forms a curved su pport and extends to the upper edge of said inain-cylinder-casing plate7 an additional carding-cylinder, its shrouds and its casing attached to the shrouds, having an opening upon the side toward the main cylinder and adapted to rest upon said support when the said additional carding-cylinder is in operative relation with the main cylinder.

13. In a revolving-flat carding-engine, the combination of the main cylinder, its casing having an opening across it, the doer, an addition al carding-cylinder, its shrouds, its casing attached to the shrouds, having an opening upon the side toward the main cylinder, swinging arms upon which it is mounted and by which it is movable from operative relation with the 1n ain cylinder to an inoperative position, adjustable stops adjacent to the main cylinder for governing its position with relation to it, rests upon each side of the opening in the main cylinder against which the casing of the additional cylinder bears when it is in contact with said stops, and means for coupling the additional cylinder to said stops.

l-ft. Ina revolving-flat carding-engine, the combination of the main cylinder, its casing having an opening across it of suflicient width to provide space for the operation of a ca rding-cylinder and also for the operation upon another level of a grinding-roll or a strippingroll, supports for either the grinding or stripping roll adjacent to said opening, stops, a coupling means for the additional cardingcylinder adjacent to said opening, said additional carding-cylinder attached to the carding-engine to4 be movable toward and from said opening and said stops, and means attached to'it for covering it and said opening when it is in operative relation with the main cylinder.

l5. In a revolving-flat carding-engine, the combination of the main cylinder, its casing having an opening across it, the doer, the doffer-casing, a rest upon the dofer-casing removed froni said opening, an addition al carding-cylinder, its shrouds and its casing attached to the shrouds, having an opening upon the side toward the main cylinder, and arms extending from the shrouds and pivoted to the engine sides which are against the ends `of the doier and whereby the said additional carding-cylinder may be moved over the doffer-casing from an operative relation with the main cylinder to the rest on the doffercasing, or vice versa.

16. In a revolving-Hat carding-engine, a movable carding-cylinder, its shrouds, an arm integral with each shroud extending therefrom and attached by a pivotal connection with the carding-engine, and a casing surrounding the cylinder attached to the shrouds and havin an opening upon one side.

17. In a revolving-fiat carding-engine, a

i movable additional carding-cylinder adapted when in operative position to cooperate with roo IIO

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the main carding-cylinder, and a casing inclosing said cylinder movable with it and having an opening` upon one side.

18. In a revolving-flat carding-engine, the m ain cylinder, an additional carding-cylinder to cooperate therewith, movable with respect to it and having shrouds connected with each other by cross-rods, and a casing' having` an opening upon one side attached to the shrou ds Within the rods.

l0. In a revolving-fiat carding-engine, the combination of the main cylinder, an additional carding-cylinder movable with respect to the main cylinder, its shrouds and casing, having an opening upon one side, surrounding the cylinder and attached to the shrouds, and a cross-beam adjacent to said opening secured to the shrouds.

20. In a revolving-flat carding-engine, a movable @aiding-cylinder, its shrouds, and a casing for the cylinder havinz` an opening upon one side, attached to the shrouds, the

said shrouds, casing and cylinder being mov- -able together, and the cylinder-shaft and bearings therefor in the shrouds.

2l. In a revolving-yat carding-engine, the combination of the main cylinder, its casing' having an opening across it, an additional carding-cylinder, its shrouds, a shaft for the additional cylinder having bearings in the shrouds, a casing for the cylinder having an opening,` upon one side, attached to the shrouds, arms integral with the shrouds, eX- tending` downward therefrom, one on each side of'the engine, and pivots connecting` the lower ends of said arms with the engine side and whereby the cylinder in operation turns upon the shrouds and whereby also the casingl and shrouds are rigidly secured to the arms to be movable therewith.

CHARLES MILLS.

In presence of EDMUND E. BLAKE, EDWIN H. ALEXANDER. 

